Be-Deviled

I finished a book yesterday that the Cali-Daughter had been trying to get me to read for a long time. Since I am incapable of denying her anything I took a break from my headlong rush through Lawrence Block’s Matthew Scudder novels. I am so glad that I did with The Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen. This was one of my rare forays into non-fiction and I’m left with the distinct impression I may be denying myself some real entertainment.

Larsen tells two distinct stories intertwined around the Columbian Exposition in 1893 Chicago. I like to flatter myself that I at least a student , if not an devotee, of history but I was blissfully unaware of the monumental undertaking and accomplishment this world’s fair represented. Larsen tells the story of the prime moving force behind the fair, Daniel H. Burnham, who led the architectural design and then supervised construction. The other story was astounding as well because I’d heard literally nothing about the devil incarnate who stalked the edges of the fair and who may be the most lethal serial killer in US history, Dr. H.H. Holmes, with victims potentially in the hundereds.

It was kind of jarring to switch between the herculean efforts of Burnham to get the fair built in unprecedentedly short time and Holmes’ depraved activities in his nearby “murder castle”. By intertwining these completely different stories with his obviously well researched prose Larsen provides a fascinating look into Gilded Age Chicago as it struggled to establish itself as a world class city to compete with contemptuous East Coast cities, principally New York. This transition was highlighted in the Victorian society and the attendant increased freedom for women. This freedom brought Homes’ augmented access to victims, with the previously unheard of practice of unescorted women entering the work force. Holmes is described as a truly magnetic personality who swindled and charmed his way through Chicago just prior to the fair. He had no less than three wives, simultaneously. He designed a block long building, ostensibly to house guests for the fair but it reality a killing ground specifically set up to render the victims and prevent detection.

Holmes' Murder Castle

I was left with a feeling of incredulity that a society failed to protect itself from a beast such as Holmes although his crimes eventually did catch up with him due to a particularly gifted detective. It was also an age of belief in capability, a naiveté we have certainly lost to a great extent since. Burnham’s drive to get the fair built while fighting off politicians and the innumerable committees that any great endeavor seems to germinate was incredible. There was a collective effort to achieve greatness and pride in accomplishment that didn’t fall victim to the petty naysayers who hobble any similar striving in today’s society. I couldn’t help but compare Chicago’s pride and accomplishment with the recent failed attempt by Boston to host the Olympics. We definitely seem to have lost “something” in the years since giants like Burnham strode the earth.

The White City - The Chicago World's Fair 

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone and quickly. They’re making a movie out of it and Larsen’s meticulous research will certainly be sacrificed when Hollywood places the ole “based on true events” disclaimer in front. DiCaprio has been cast as Holmes which should be fascinating. Go read this book beforehand.

Progress of the First Blog Reader - As of Last Night

I dutifully reported the accomplishment of my assigned task to my daughter last night. She and Wingman had just left the doctor’s office for the latest pre-natal checkup. They reported the First Blog Reader has accelerated development and is growing faster than expected, three weeks ahead of where he/she should be at 31 weeks. The Wingman loudly interjected at this point that his genes were definitely responsible for the precocious development. It was so good to hear them so happy.